Lincoln City are dwarfing even Derby County and Walsall in one department - nobody in the EFL is better | OneFootball

League One Lincoln City stand head and shoulders above in one particular EFL statistic.

Lincoln City may have been struggling in front of goal for large parts of the 2024/25 Sky Bet League One season, but they stand head and shoulders above the rest in one category.

Not only are Michael Skubala’s side the best in the third tier for this statistic, but no team in the entire EFL holds a better record when it comes to scoring from set pieces.

Beating Championship Derby County and League Two Walsall

The Imps have netted a staggering 27 goals from set pieces, according to WhoScored, whether that be corners, free-kicks or long throws. From open play, Lincoln have a comparatively small 21.

City have been inconsistent in the final third; having no fault in creating chances, but having plentiful issues when it comes to the last touch. From set pieces, that restrictive inability has been nonexistent, and Lincoln have kept a consistent danger.

Exeter City are the Imps' closest rivals in League One when it comes to this statistic, as Gary Caldwell’s team have provided 22 goals from set piece situations so far this term.

Though, Lincoln’s dominance in their own division is paralleled across the entire EFL. Relegation threatened Derby County lead the way in the Championship, with 18 of their goals coming from set pieces.

In League Two, promotion-chasing Walsall, who have only recently been knocked off their perch as the league leaders, have found 24 goals through the same avenues.

But, they all pale in comparison to Lincoln’s attacking threat from set pieces. Most notably from corners, but the free-kick ability of the likes of summer recruit Tom Bayliss has added to the tally as well. Coupled together, it has provided a reliable outlet for the Imps when build-up in open play has produced very little.

Lincoln City's best attacking outlet

Lincoln have had 207 corners in their league campaign to date, according to FotMob, with only seven teams having more. They include runaway leaders Birmingham City, promotion-pushing Charlton Athletic and heavy-possession teams Huddersfield Town and Leyton Orient.

It comes with the territory that a team that sees more of the ball would be more likely to win corners on a frequent basis. But, the Imps buck that trend.

Only four teams in League One average less possession than Lincoln’s 45.1%, with 18th-placed Northampton Town the only one of those outside of the relegation zone.

Yet, Skubala’s men win a lot of corners, and they profit from a large number of them too.

Sam Clucas and Bayliss' fluke goals direct from corners have notched a couple more to the overall Lincoln tally too, but the more routine set pieces have been even more impressive.

Adam Jackson's front-post flick-on from a Bayliss in-swinger led to Lincoln’s game-winning goal against Huddersfield Town, with Reeco Hackett finishing off the rehearsed corner with a tap-in. That was just one example of the numerous ‘training ground routine’ set pieces that have proved key for the Imps this term.

Without their dominance from these situations, which has put them ahead of the rest of the EFL, City would be far behind the mid-table position they sit in.

Finishing off chances has been a downfall of the Imps throughout the season, especially before experienced striker James Collins made the January switch to Lincolnshire. So, without the clinical edge and consistency of creation from corners and other set piece moments, Lincoln would be struggling.

Skubala will surely be proud of his team’s record from set piece, it has drawn a unique distinction and provided a threat that would otherwise be lacking from an outfit pushing beyond their means.